ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin Chapter 5: His Imamate The Imamate i’s an important element in forming the civilizational and political thought in Islam. It is an inseparable part of the immortal message of Islam; rather it is the essence and reality of Islam. Without the Imamate, Islam will lose its qualities and activities and will be a lifeless, vague religion.

We will briefly talk about the affairs of the Imamate, the Imamate of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him, and what was reported on his authority in this respect.

The Meaning of the Imamate The theologians and others defined the Imamate as follows: “The Imamate is the spiritual and temporal authority of a person who leads the community according to good inclinations and noble qualities such as justice, self-negation, generosity, disobeying one’s passions and all the external effects except that which concerns truth and justice.” The Necessity of the Imamate As for the Imamate in Islam, it is necessary for the Islamic life.

It is a basic element in establishing social justice and building the best society in which there is no social injustice nor poverty and deprivation. The Imamate in Islam takes care of dividing the bounties of Allah among His servants, securing equal opportunities for them, and protecting them from exploitation and enslavement. It is a developed human thought in the world of government and politics.

It fulfills the objectives which Islam has planned for it when it is undertaken by the Allah-fearing Imams from the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who are the equals of the Qur’an and the life-boats of this community. We will explain that in the following study. The Prophet and the Imamate It is certain that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, prepared the succession (to authority) and the Imamate after him.

He did not leave the community after him to lead a life of chaos, dangers, and crises, rather he nominated his successors, the twelve Imams from the members of his family. The foremost of them was their lord, Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, whom the Prophet appointed as a signpost and an authority for the community regardless of the traditional sentiments.

He, may Allah bless him and his family, designated him to undertake this important office because of his (‘Ali’s) qualifications, talents, genius, and firm clinging to religion.